Anderson revels in record stand

England paceman Jimmy Anderson admitted he finally experienced the fun side of batting after posting the first half-century of his career during a stunning last-wicket partnership with Joe Root.

Anderson made 81 while Root finished on 154 not out as the duo shared in a world-record 10th-wicket stand of 198 to help England make 496 in reply to India's 457 in the first Investec Test at Trent Bridge.

Anderson revealed he and Root had only initially meant to "annoy" the Indians on day four but, as the stand progressed, he began to really enjoy himself.

The 31-year-old, who has regularly been England's nightwatchman but whose previous best first-class score was only 37, told Sky Sports 2: "I had really food fun today. It's probably the first time I've really enjoyed batting."

"It was a great effort. We just seemed to get on a roll last night, and I think overnight we both just thought that we could actually annoy the Indians today and stay out there a little bit," Anderson said.

"Obviously we didn't think anything like this could happen. We knew we still had a job to do this morning and we stuck at it brilliantly. It was good fun being out there. I wouldn't say it was easy but it was such a slow pitch that you knew there was only a few ways you could get out. If you had a good game plan you could stick in there," he added.

India closed the fourth day on 167 for three in their second innings, for a lead of 128, and Root feels that a few early breakthroughs on Sunday could make things interesting.

Root said: "Obviously we're gonna have to bowl well tomorrow, get some early wickets, but if we do you never know. We'll be itching in that dressing room if we do, so let's hope we can."